John Shovels, LMSW

John Shovels is a licensed social worker (LMSW) with 15 years of clinical experience who blends practical coaching with traditional therapy to help adults navigate stress, mood concerns, and relationship struggles. Trained at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, he focuses his practice on depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and men’s issues while also offering leadership coaching and development to support personal and professional growth.

He creates a warm, supportive atmosphere where adults can explore difficult emotions, address patterns rooted in family of origin or past trauma, and build clearer coping strategies. John draws on evidence-based techniques to promote tangible change and uses accessible metaphors and occasional humor to make complex problems easier to understand. His approach prioritizes each person’s individual needs and goals, with attention to issues such as grief, intimacy, self-esteem, career transitions, and co-morbid conditions that affect daily functioning.

As a husband and father of three adult children who shares his home with two dogs and a cat, he brings a grounded, relatable presence to sessions. He aims to help clients get stronger, identify underlying patterns, and create sustainable steps toward healthier relationships and a more purposeful life. John welcomes the opportunity to walk alongside those ready to begin that process.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Care

John Shovels commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is practical and goal-oriented, and it is often applied to issues like anxiety, depression, panic, and stress-related problems.

He also incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) strategies to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT skills can be especially helpful for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and reducing impulsive behaviors.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. John works with each person to understand their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, and he tailors techniques from these methods to fit the individual’s needs rather than offering a one-size-fits-all plan.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging adds flexibility to that collaboration, allowing clients to access therapy from home, during busy schedules, or while balancing work and family demands. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to practice new skills between sessions with a licensed professional.